World Cup 2011 - New Zealand vs Australia Verdict

It has become a familiar story really, an utterly dismal batting performance from the Black Caps against their trans-tasman rivals. While Australia bowled well, they weren't a menace, the chief destroyer for the kiwis was simply the usual, totally inept batting.

Lets recap the top orders efforts shall we:

McCullum (16 runs off 19 balls)
Determined to top edge his way to victory over third man, he eventually and inevitably holed out in the deep.
Dumb Factor = 8/10

Guptill (10 off 25)
Scratched around for 19 deliveries before getting off the mark. Fell to a Watson delivery that kept strangely low, probably the only one who could claim to be unlucky.
Dumb Factor = 5/10

Ryder (25 off 31)
Singles are overrated for Ryder, 24 of those runs were boundaries. He faced a ridiculous 19 consecutive deliveries off Johnson before finally edging to the slips.
Dumb Factor = 8/10

Franklin (0 off 3)
For a man who I rated for having technique and temperament, he showed neither. A lazy waft outside the off stump that was totally uncalled for.
Dumb Factor = 8/10

Styris (0 off 4)
Following the trend, Mr Experience then decided to try to cream a wide delivery through the covers in a blaze of glory. Ugly and untimely.
Dumb Factor = 8/10

Taylor (7 off 22)
After looking totally out of sorts, decided he would try to Viv Richards a full ball by whipping it through the leg side.
Dumb Factor = 9/10

Dear Mr Taylor, Viv Richards you are not. © Getty Images

How (22 off 47)
Batting at number 7 (?) How only managed to stick around before completely missing a dead straight Smith delivery. Just to be sure of his impact on the match, he also wasted a referral. On what basis was he selected again?
Dumb Factor = 7/10

And so after the carnage they stood at 7-121, before the typically feisty Nathan McCullum battled away, coupled with the standard Vettori Innings In Vain. The eventual total of 206 of course nowhere near enough.

Should we be surprised? There is something about New Zealand and Australia in the last decade or so, in the big events, where we just tend to capitulate. It often happens after talking ourselves up too. So as an added bonus, lets take a small trip down memory lane and see what I am talking about here:

The Hall of Shame
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66183.html
ICC Champions Trophy 2002 - 4th match, Pool 1
Chasing 296, New Zealand barely even got going as McGrath and friends ran havoc through the entire order. All out for 132 with no lower order rearguard to save face either.


http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65279.html
ICC World Cup 2003 - 47th match, Super Sixes
After Bond set up the match perfectly by reducing Australia to 7-84, his useless bowling support ensured that Australia managed a still chase-able 208. Too bad that only Fleming showed the stomach for it, with the rest of his buddies contributing 55, that's ten batsmen. They ended up all out for 112.


http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66204.html
ICC Champions Trophy 2004 - 9th match, Pool A
Nathan Astle actually started things off brightly by picking off a few boundaries. Nothing bright about what followed however as the middle order fell apart to leave them at 7-89, including a ridiculous run out where Harris sold McMillan down the river without a paddle or a canoe. Some lower order spunk took them to a losing score of 198.


http://www.espncricinfo.com/iccct2006/engine/match/249757.html
ICC Champions Trophy 2006 - 1st semi final
On the back of some strong batting by Stephen Fleming, the kiwi's made the semi's of this edition of the champions trophy looking a good chance. Chasing a lowly 240, the top-middle order had the usual game plan, reducing us to 6-35. I still remember that awful heave McCullum hit straight to mid-on. A determined, almost tragic 79 from Vettori got them to a face saving 206.


http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/247503.html
ICC World Cup 2007 - 47th match, Super Eights
To be fair, chasing 348 is a big ask. But at least make something resembling an effort. All out for 133 in under 26 overs is not on for a team that boasted a 3-0 victory over the same opponents before the world cup. 


So in 2011, we continue in our determination to follow the trend set by our black caps gone by over the years. Long may it continue.

© Reuters

World Cup 2011 - India vs Bangladesh Verdict

And so Sehwag proves me wrong on two accounts in a frantic opening match. 

1. He actually did manage to bat through most of the innings.
2. He did mean business when he said this was the 'revenge match'.

I've eaten my words.

Bangladesh missed Mortaza, their only real fast bowling weapon. The rest are a worry. In terms of spinners, Sehwag can make even Murali look silly, so they need not take the onslaught to heart. It was one of those batting efforts so typical of what India are capable of at home. All the sides had better beware because if the Indian batting clicks, they could take the world cup at a canter. 

But.

1. Bangladesh Got To 283

And that too with relative ease. Tamim and Shakib in particular looked pretty comfortable with this Indian bowling attack. They are steady and economical at best, with Sreesanth spraying it around like Navjot Sidhu commentary. When the Indian batting does eventually fail, which it will at least once, the lack of wicket taking ability could be their undoing.

2. The Fielding Is Poor

Watching them in the outfield, they still strike me as a lazy and unfit bunch. I saw plenty of mis-fields and poor efforts, as if they were in cruise mode when Bangladesh were chasing. That is a terrible attitude, and India need to take a leaf out of the Australian book here. If on top, stay on top. In contrast Bangladesh at least were fielding with skill and energy.

The Bottom Line

India have sprinted off the mark in great style and have set the batting benchmark very high. Bangladesh have shown a big hole in their game with their pace attack, but not every team has a Sehwag to dismantle spin like its a joke. I still think they can take something away from the opener.

Final Digression...

Brendon McCullum, why the frantic, trigger-happy bat swinging, as if confused between the India and Kenya run chase.

I'll bet the Australians are scared stiff now. © Getty Images

World Cup 2011 - Week 1 Preview

And finally after the bizarre warm up matches, we are ready for the real deal. The easiest way to follow the events of the world cup was to divide into weeks (Saturday to Friday intervals) and look at each one in turn. So here we go, week 1:

The Form Book
The warm up matches definitely told a story or two. India, Sri Lanka and South Africa look in good nick while Australia looks particularly vulnerable. Don't buy into that  though, they do not start world cups well but seem to pull it together when it really matters, sort of like a reverse South Africa. England look iffy as always. Pakistan and West Indies look a bit flat but could turn it around. Bangladesh are pumped, and New Zealand are simply woeful. Of course these were just warm up games with nothing at stake, the form guide could go out the window very quickly.

Key Matches
Bangladesh vs India
This is a massive game. Bangladesh at home are good enough to upset the Indians, particularly if they are overconfident from an easy win over the Black Craps. Don't forget their batting was inept against Australia. Bangladesh will be up for a fight, Sehwag calls this the 'revenge match' for the 2007 dumping in their hands (I hope Sehwag gets a duck). India should edge out a close match.

#1 on my world cup wish list. © AFP

South Africa vs West Indies
This should be good provided the West Indies turn up. They certainly have the batting resources, particularly with Sarwan picking up a century. South Africa have the edge in everything else. If Chris Gayle fires, the odds change dramatically, but the match could just as easily turn into a pasting.


Potential Upsets
Netherlands vs England 
I've said it before, I don't rate England as a one-day unit. They have a few strong batsmen, but their bowling especially looks ragged and inexperienced. If Holland are to pull off a miracle, it would require Ryan ten Doeschate to do it almost by himself.

But it's happened before. © Getty Images

Kenya vs New Zealand
Don't laugh. The Black Caps are in such a horrible state right now that, that you just never know. Kenya showed against the West Indies that they are ready to give slackers a real scare. New Zealand have to be very careful that they don't walk into this with the 'easy win' cap on. For them, nothing is easy.

The Black Caps - Why Rotation Fails

Just weeks away from the 2011 World Cup, the New Zealand cricket management decided to enforce the rotation policy and give a wide pool of players a trial run in various batting positions.

Come again?

Lets reel off reasons why this won't work.

1. The selectors appeared to have settled down their batting lineup at least, and despite the horrible ODI losing streak, there was no doubt that these were our best batsmen. Tells us a fair bit about the state of NZ cricket though. 
2. We do not have the depth to afford such luxuries. India can find a dozen street cricketers who will make our bowlers look silly. Australia can drop and forget cricketers like Bichel, Bracken, Stuart Clark (and Bevan... and Blewett... and Mark Waugh...). We can't.
3. After spending months grooming Brendon McCullum as an opening batsmen, they suddenly decide he is our new lower order enforcer? Dumb, remembering that our lower order bats quite well anyway.
4. It doesn't look like either the captain, former players or newly appointed coach agree with it.

"You'd imagine the purpose of the exercise with this series is to be as well prepared as possible to play in India for the World Cup but after four games you'd have to say that hasn't been achieved in any way, shape or form." - John Morrison
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cricket/news/article.cfm?c_id=29&objectid=10703661

To highlight Vettori's confusion about this whole fiasco, he was quoted to be "fiddling with the guys" during the toss in a recent match. Oh dear.

So why? Maybe heads had to roll after being constantly drubbed in the ODI format of the game (but isn't that why we sack coaches). Maybe New Zealand just took it one step further to really shake up the hornets nest.

Rotation didn't help these guys. © Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

So lets play selector. My chosen XI reads:

1. McCullum
2. Ryder
3. Guptill
4. Taylor
5. Styris
6. Franklin
7. Nathan McCullum
8. Vettori
9. Southee
10. Mills
11. Milne

12th Man. Grant Elliot, who is a good utility that can slot in anywhere in the middle to lower order. Decent batsman and a handy bowler. The ideal stop gap.

Unlucky. Kane Williamson. He has the technique, and looks like a long term no.3 or 4 to me. He just looks a confused about his role in the ODI game at the moment, and the top four places are already stable.

Why Milne? Give him a shot, he is an unknown factor who can get it up at 150km/h. Could be a real surprise package and there are no other decent seam bowlers that demand a spot. Remember Bond was a gamble too when he started out. If he fails, we have plenty of backup bowling.

Why not Oram? Just looks too rusty after all those injuries. Harsh luck for him, but he doesn't bring enough to the table at the moment.